Junior Design Awards 2018 | Welcome to Launch Day!

The Junior Design Awards are BACK!

This year marks our 7th year running of the highly respected Junior Design Awards programme. The #JDA's - as we often refer to them - are and continue to be the most esteemed accolade in the lifestyle awards arena recognised by brands, clients and consumers alike.

But, we don't plan to rest on our laurels.

OH NO! We aim to make each year bigger and better than the last. As we know winning a #JDA is an highly sought after achievement for a brand, we also know it's trusted and highly regarded by YOU - our readers and shoppers - as a signed seal-of-style-approval.

Our awards celebrate all that is beautiful in a child's life - from the finest fashions to beautiful interiors and design led kids books to luxury family travel - so you know when a brand is given the Junior stamp - it's truly loved by all of us at Junior and our esteemed panel of judges.

Here's the 2018 Junior Design Awards low-down...

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What's new for 2018?

This year's Junior Design Awards have been refreshed to not only celebrate our rich history and legacy - but to celebrate all that is new and relevant to children in 2018.

We've added in a few extra awards - over 15 in fact - meaning 2018 sees a massive 67 awards up for grabs across 6 categories. It's going to be exciting to see who comes out as the best-of-the-best this year. You can take a peek at all of the awards categories here.

We've updated and reinvigorated existing awards that have stood the test of time to identify, reward and acknowledge the very best in design products on the market for parents, parents-to-be and children to reflect the varying nature of modern family life in 2018.

And, finally we've fully revised some of the wording on the awards site to make entering easier and smoother as well as putting together this article from our Editor with tips, tricks and insider knowledge on how to best enter the awards. You can visit the Junior Design Awards dedicated site HERE.

Also, this year we're continuing to celebrate our 20th anniversary - as although the Junior brand was born in late 1997 with a promo issue sent out to advertisers and buyers - the ACTUAL first printed ready-for-readers edition of Junior magazine was launched in March/April 1998.

So, we will again be hosting our Editor's Choice Award - The Junior Absolute Design Award or the #JADA which will see the Junior editorial team pick 20 exceptionally designed brands or products of the year. These will be revealed along with the winners and runners-up from the 65 categories. See the 2017 JADA Winners HERE.

Inspiration behind the Junior Design Awards 2018...

It always starts with the logo. Although the design and branding hasn't changed over the years - this is to keep it instantly recognisable - the colour does.

We are always influenced by current trends but also aware we have a massive back history in our Junior archive, so merging the two is what we always aim to do. This year we took inspiration from the new Chloe Spring/Summer 18 collection.

Nautical and riviera style is always a big summer fashion story - but, this years take has a retro twist with old school square sailor collars, vintage neck ties, boaters and classic sailor buttons. Red, white and blue never date, so we have taken this theme and we will be running (sailing!) with it.

AND, our idea was sealed when we spotted this beautiful fashion editorial 'Island Life' from our March 2006 print issue - how current does this children fashion editorial look? Styled by our formidable previous fashion director Linda McLean and shot by revered photographer Harten these images show how timeless the nautical look is.

You can see the full editorial below.